Children hospitalized with COVID increases five-fold in New York City

The number of children in New York City hospitalized with COVID-19 has increased five-fold from the start of the month, announced NY Gov. Kathy Hochul.

NYC vaccine mandate for private employers and those 12 and older in effect

A COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all private employers is now in effect in New York City. Also, New Yorkers aged 12 and older are now required to show proof of two vaccine doses to enter most indoor venues.

Passport fees to increase by $20 starting Monday

Starting Dec. 27, the price to get a passport book will climb $20. The State Department says the price hike is necessary “ to ensure we continue to produce one of the most secure travel and identity documents in the world.”

US will lift travel ban on southern African countries on Dec. 31

The Nov. 29 ban barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

Third-grade teacher sinks viral basketball shot, winning students hot chocolate

Kathleen Fitzpatrick, an elementary teacher at Holy Trinity School, went viral after hitting a full-court shot for her students and earning them hot chocolate.

Man who defied Michigan pandemic orders to keep diner open dies of COVID-19

He kept the restaurant open in December 2020 in violation of orders from the Michigan health department to help pay his wife's medical bills.

Mobile driver’s license: TSA prepares to accept digital ID at airports in 2022

The Transportation Security Administration hopes to start accepting digital driver’s licenses as a valid form of identification as soon as early 2022, according to an agency spokesperson.

McDonald’s rolls out exercise bikes for dine-in customers in China

Two restaurants in China are testing out a new experience where customers can dine, exercise and charge their electronic devices all at once.

Seafood inflation means a pricier Feast of the Seven Fishes

Fish markets such as Syosset Seafood have had to raise prices this year to reflect higher costs from suppliers. That means some families are scaling back their holiday meals.

Kellogg strike ends after employees approve new labor contract

Kellogg said Tuesday that the new contract provides immediate, across the board wage increases and enhanced benefits for all.

Nature's Own bread recall: 3,000 loaves recalled due to undeclared milk

Thousands of Nature’s Own Honey Wheat bread loaves sold in six U.S. states are being recalled due to the presence of undeclared milk.